INTIMACY AND AWE

John 13:23
One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved was reclining at table close to Jesus..
Revelation 1:17
When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me saying, "Fear not, I am the first and the last."

At that last supper before the cross, John reclined nearest to Jesus actually leaning on His breast. But when the glorified Christ appeared to him on the Isle of Patmos he fell on his face fainting in terror. In these two postures of the beloved apostle we see two essential attitudes of prayer, intimacy and awe.
Prayer calls us to both of these heart positions. We come to Jesus longing to be near Him, laying our lives upon his strength and love. Yet we must also come trembling at His glory, majesty, might and holiness. If you never come trembling into the presence of God you have an intellectual disconnect with the reality of our Lord.

ULTIMATE INTIMACY

1 John 2:28-3:3

John begins this passage with the words, "And now, little children, abide in him." The reason here for John's call for spiritual intimacy is so we will not have to be ashamed when we stand before Him as His own children. Do you see what kind of love our Heavenly Father has shown to us that we should be called the children of God? And that is what we have become! And when we see Him we will be made just like Jesus because we will see Him as He truly is. We will not just see His revealed appearance we will be able and be allowed to see the fullness of His nature. That life changing experience will be ultimate intimacy with God. Such present and coming intimacy gives the motivation and the power of producing holiness in our lives.